If you were to ask women who work full-time and want to start a business, why they haven’t done so yet, what do you think their reason would be? Is it lack of money? Contrary to popular belief, the number one reason I am given is NOT money. Instead, they mention a 4 letter word over and over again. That 4 letter word is…FEAR.

When I speak to these women about why they haven’t started the businesses they desire, they ask me questions such as:

• What if I fail and have to go back to my 9-5? (fear of failure)
• What if my business takes off faster than I can keep up with it? (fear of success)
• What if I can’t balance working full-time, my family, and starting a new business? (fear of the unknown)
• What if my family and friends don’t support my new business? (fear of not being supported)
• What if I can’t make a consistent income?  What about benefits and a retirement fund? (fear of the unknown)

All of these questions are wrapped in fear. Have you asked any of them yourself? Have any of them kept you locked in a job in which you are not happy? If you answered “yes” to ANY of these questions, you are not alone. Unfortunately for many women, they never get to experience the incredible feeling of being their own boss.

However, this does not have to be the case! So, how do you eliminate these fears, so that you can begin the journey of owning your own business?  

Below, are 4 simple steps you can take today to kick fear to the curb for good:

1. Create a success mindset

Your mindset is the number one asset you need to have in order to have a successful business. Your thoughts determine your level of success, and therefore they must be positive and encouraging. One strategy you can use to create a success mindset is visualization. It involves you creating a mental account of a major milestone in your business (i.e. getting your first paying client, achieving your first 5 figure month, etc.).

Write out this account in very vivid detail. Include such things as what you are wearing, what you are saying, what you are doing, etc. when you experience that milestone. Play this picture over and over in your mind every single day.

“The mind is just like a muscle – the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets and the more it can expand.”- Idowu Koyenikan

2. Set 3-5 business goals at the beginning of each week

This helps you set the tone for the week, and it keeps you focused on growing your business. SMART Goals are a very effective method to use to ensure you set meaningful goals. SMART Goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. An example of a SMART Goal may be: by the end of the week, I will apply for my business license. Halfway through the week, check on how you are progressing toward reaching your goals. At the end of the week, reflect on how well you did in achieving those weekly goals.

3. Schedule time to work on your business daily

Scheduling at least 30 minutes per day to work on your business helps you with time management. It can be extremely difficult starting a business while working full-time and balancing a family. This is why time management is extremely important to the growth and success of your business. If all you are able to do that day is post on social media about your business, that counts.

By letting even one day go by without working, can lead to multiple days going by. Before you know it, a whole week has passed.  It then becomes more difficult to work it back into your daily schedule. After a while, your business is no longer a priority. This could then lead to you giving up on it.

“This is the key to time management – to see the value of every moment.” – Menachem Mendel Schneerson

4. Create a strong support system

Surrounding yourself with people who are also on the same journey to entrepreneurship, can be very beneficial to the success of your business. They can add that extra support and motivation you may need to help you grow. Having an accountability partner, business coach, and/or mentor can also help you avoid making costly business mistakes.

Set up a plan to check in with your support system at least once a week. During that time, discuss what has gone well for you that week and also the challenges you faced. Having a sounding board can help you find solutions to those challenges.

Do not allow fear to keep you from starting your business any longer. Instead, implement these strategies so that you can be well on your way to having your own successful and profitable business.

What is a reason you have for not starting your own business? Leave your thoughts below!